Water can do some damage, plain and simple. When it comes to places such as your floors and walls, it causes them to rot and mold.
However, by doing chores around the house and periodically checking your appliances, you can avoid water damages and save yourself both time and money.
Take action and use these easy steps for water damage prevention and be sure your property is protected from a wet doom.
Regularly Inspect Your Appliances
Appliances around your home such as fridges, dishwashers, water heaters, A/C units, showers, and other related appliances are susceptible to bursting or springing a leak. As time passes, they begin to weaken, so periodically checking your appliances and pipes for signs of wear and tear should be something you are doing.
Since many appliances rely on a hose, it is common for them to be a common problem in water damage problems. When you notice any rusty, leaky, or damaged hoses, you need to replace them as soon as possible.
Older water heaters can also rust on the bottom and start to have issues with leaking. Have a maintenance inspection scheduled about once every year and you should be sufficient for staying on top of any issues or future problems.
Some signs that are a red flag that your appliance may be on its last days are sounds of water running when nothing is turned on, bad odors coming from floors, walls, and drains, lower water pressure, and mold growing around the appliance.
Keep an Eye on Your Water Bill
A great way to scope out any issues and problems is as easy as checking the water bill.
Make sure to check what the typical average you are charged by the water company each month, and if the bill is much higher one month, you may have a leak.
Since many pipes are hidden in walls, it can be hard to know if you have a leak or not. A crack the size of your pinky nail can cause a loss of up to 250 gallons of water every day you let it go.
It also doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on your water meter. You can do this by locating your water meter, turning off all taps in your house, and if the dial is still turning it means you have a leak somewhere.
Clean out the Gutters
Cleaning out the gutters is never a fun chore to do. But that’s what kids are for right?
Making sure that your gutters are clean is important, especially if you want to prevent water damage problems.
The purpose of your gutters is to direct any excess water coming off the roof away from your property.
When the gutters get clogged, it causes water to overflow off the roof and run along the side of your house into the basement instead of away from the property.
This can cause damage to the foundation, roof leaks, and other damage that is much more expensive and difficult than you just cleaning out the gutters.
Be Careful When Planting Trees
When planting trees, vegetation, or other landscaping projects, it is important to pay attention to minimize damage to pipes.
You should know where major pipelines are located before you plant trees to ensure the overgrowth of the trees do not cause harm with their roots underground and break apart pipes.
There are companies that can mark the location of the sewer line if you are not able to locate it.
You can also reach out to a landscaper and find a tree that won’t harm your property.
Take Care of Leaks
Treating a known leak, no matter the size, is a must. If a leak is left untreated it can cause staining, mold, and other damage to things like your walls and floors.
The faster you take action, the less damage there will be.
It is important to note that most standard insurance policies require the homeowner to make repairs on leaks or damaged appliances immediately. This means that if you put it off for too long, you may be denied coverage.
Prepare for Winter
When it starts to get colder, you need to be sure you are giving proper care to your pipes.
When pipes freeze, the water inside turns into ice, expands, and creates pressure that causes the pipe to burst. This is why it is so important to check the low insulated areas of your home, as they are at the most risk of freezing.
Adding insulation to these areas at risk may be necessary if it is severe enough. If this is the case, contact professional services, or follow the proper guidelines and wear the necessary protective gear if you choose to do it yourself.
Another easy way to fight the cold is by keeping cabinet doors open and allow warmer air in the home to heat the pipes.
One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is to prevent water damage.
However, this can be a difficult task, as sometimes things happen and there is nothing we can do about it.
If your home or business has suffered from water damage, ServiceMaster Clean can help with our water damage mitigation services.
Contact us and get your free quote here.
We look forward to working with you!
